Ironing machine



Nov. 15, 1927. 1,649,455

H. C. ELLIS ET AL nieuwe ummm Filed March 17. 1926 2 SheetS-Shee 2 Patented Nov.y 15, 1927.

tlhil'i@ STATES 1,649,455 PATENT orifice.

HUBERT C. ELLIS AND' NORMAN C. ELLIS, VOF EVAKNS'ION, ILLINOIS.

IRONING MACHINE.

Application filed March 17, 1926. Serial No. 95,185.

rThe invention relates to ironing machines and more particulaiy to that typ-e in which a flat-iron is reciprocated over a fixed table under control of the operator.

One object of the invention is to provide a machine of this type which is adapted to be operated by fiuid under pressure, such as compressed air, a supply of which is usually available in laundries Where these niachines are used. By utilizing` a compressed fluid, the speed of operation of the iron may be varied by the pressure of the air and by the control of the rate of flow of the air into the cylinder. By employing Huid-pressure operated means, the machine is controllable by a valve and dispmses ivith the necessity of clutching mechanism for starting and stopping the iron.

yAnother object of the invention is to provide fluid-pressure operated mechanism for reciprocating the iron, which makes it possible to use a cylinder considerably.shorter than the range of movement of the iron.

A. still further object of the invention is to provide means by `which the operator may conveniently and manually raise and loiver the iron at will at any point-v within its range` of movement, vto cause the iron to travel over projections, such 'as buttons, on the garments being ironed. y

Other ob `ects ofthe invention will appear from the detail description. y The invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter set forth and more particulaii)Y defined by claims at the conclusion hereof. Y

ln the drai'vings: Fig. 1 is a perspective of-a machine embodying the invention, Fig. 2 is a plan, the fluid-pressure cylinder being shown in section. Fig. 3 is a section tak-e on line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig.y a is a section on line 1 -i of Fig. 2, illustrating the iron lifting device. Fig. 5 is a rear elevation. Fig. 6 is a front elevation. Fig. 7 is a' section taken on line T-T of Fig. Fig. 8 is a section of the controlling valve for the fluid under pressure.

rThe invention is exemplified :in a structure comprising a supporting frame which is built up of sides 10, a longitudinal 'member 11 and a plate having a horizontal portion forming a base 13 and a vertical portion 1st forming a back, all of which are rigidly secured together in suitable manner, to form a rigid supporting structure. An ironingboard or table 15 is supported in an elevated position by a standard 16 adjacent one end, which is provided With an angular extension 17, to support the other end, so that garments may be slipped over the board. The ironing-board is usually heated by any suitable ineans, usually electrically, in manner Well understood in thc art. A fiat-iron 18, nsually'of suiicient Weight to produce the necessary pressure for ironing, is reciprocable vover the table 15 and is suspended by a universal joint 19 from an arm 2.0, the uni'- versal joint permitting the necessary freedom of movement of the iron to cause it t0 adapt its position to the material being ironed.

Arm 20 is forked at itsrear end and'provided With circular bearings 21 and 22 which are adapted to slide and rock on a shaft 23 which extends longitudinally across the back of the frame and is fixedly secured in sides 10 of the supporting frame.

'Ehe mechanism for reciprocating the ironshifting arm Q0 comprises acylinder 2/1', disposed atthe back of the frame and extending longitudinally thereof. This cylinder is horizontally disposed and iixedly supported, one of its ends being attached to a lug 25 projecting rearwardly from one of the frame-sides 10 and the other end by a bracket tisecured to the back 14. A piston 27 is slidable in the cylinder and Operable in either direction by fluid under pressure admitted to the cylinder ends respectively. The piston is secured to a stem' 28 which entends through one end yof the cylinder. The outer end of said stein isconnected to reciprocate ther arm 2() and the iron carried thereby by means'oi a lazy-tong systeni of levers and links, by which the movenient of the piston will be multiplied so that its stroke iii-ay be less than the range of movement of the iron. This system comprises a pair of links Q9 and 30 which have their lapped ends pivoted at 81 to a lug 32,' integrally formed with one of the framesides; a pair of crossed levers 34 and 35 pivoted, as at.y 36, to the free ends of links 29 and 30 and 'pivoted together at their crossing points 37; and a pair of links 38 and 39 which are pivoted, at i0, to the opposite ends of levers 34 and 35 and are pivoted together as at 41., Pivot L11 is connected to a collar e, Which is slidable on shaft 23 and is confined in a bifurcated portion if bearing 22 so'that the arm will be shifted in opposite directions by the movement imparted to the collar. Pivot 37, which connects the crossing points of levers 34, 35, is connected by a bracket 43 to the outer end of the piston stem 2S. rlhis system of levers and links multiplies the movement of the arm 2O With respect to the travel of piston 27, so that the necessity of using` a cylinder of a length equal to the travel of the iron vvill be avoided. ln the exen'iplication of the invention illustrated, the movement is approximately doubled, so that the piston travel is approximately one-half of the travel of the iron. This construction exemplifies fluid-pressure operated mechanism for reciprocating the iron over the table l5.

rllhe operation of the piston is controlled by a valve comprising a casing 46, to the rear of which is connected a pipe 47 for supplying air under pressure to the casing. A pipe 48 is connected to deliver air from the valve-casing to one end of the cylinder 24,

'and a pipe 49 is connected to deliver air from the valve casing to the other end of the cylinder. The casing 46 is also provided with an exhaustd'uct 50 oppositely disposed to the supply-pipe 47. A valve plug 5l is rotatable in the casing 46,-and is provided With an arcuate duct 52 which is adapted to be rotated to establish communication of the supplypipe 47 with either of the pipes 48 and 49, so that the fluid may be passed from the supply to either end of the cylinder. An exhaust port 53 is formed in a plug 5l and is shaped so that air Will be exhausted from both ends of the cylinder 24 when the supply of air is cut ofi, and so 'that as soon as the valve is turned from either of its open positions, to cut off the supply of air to either end, the air will be exhausted from the end of the cylinders which is under pressure. rlhis exemplifies a valve Which is operable to control the delivery of air to either end of the cylinder to operate the piston in opposite directions by fluid under pressure, and to cause the piston to stop when the supply of air is cut off.

In practice, it is desirable that the air controlling` valve should be readily and conveniently operable, so that the operator may start and stop the iron at any point within its range of movement, and to control its movement in opposite directions from any point. For this purpose, a handle 45 is mounted at the front end of arm 2O and is connected to operate the controlling valve in such'manner as to permit it to be operated While the iron is in any of its positions. Handle 45 is fixed to a shaft 54 which e1;- tends backyvardly through arm 2O to rotate a gear 55 fixed to the rear end of said shaft. Said gear meshes with a gear 56 which rotatable and slidable on the shaft 23, and is provided with a sleeve which is confined between bearings 2l and 22, so that it Will slide With arm 20. The upper end of a link 58 is pivoted to gear 56 and its lower end is pivoted, at 59, to an arm 60, which is slidably mounted on a shaft 6l Which extends longitudinally between the frame sides l0. Arm G0 is splined to slide on and to rotate the shaft 6l, and is confined between members 62 integral with the arm 20, so that it will slide longitudinally with arm 20, and so that arm GO may, by the manipulation of handle 45, rock the shaft Gl While the iron is at any poin Within its range of travel. Shaft Gl is connected to operate the plug 5l of the travelling valve by means of an arm 64 fixed to shaft (Sl, a link 65 pivoted to the lower end of said'arm and an arm 6G fixed to the stein of the valve-plug and pivoted to link (35. 'lhis connection eX- eniplifies one by which the operator may at any time shift the controlling valve to operate the valve to admit air to either end of the cylinder and cause the iron to travel in either direction, to stop it at any point or to reverse the iron.

To automatically shift the controlling valve, to cut o the supply of air when the iron reaches the end of its stroke tothe left, a cam 8O is formed Von one of the members 62 to strike and shift a stud 8l on the arm 64, and tesimilarly stop it when the iron reaches the yend of its stroke towardthe right, a. cam, 82 is formed on one of the members G2 to engage a stud 83 which is fixed to the shaft Gl.

ln practice, it is frequently desirable to lift the iron over obstructions, such as buttons, on the material being' iron-ed, Without necessitating the starting or the stopping of the iron. To permit this to be done, provision is made whereby the operator may manually and readily lift the iron off the Work and again lower it. Arm 20 is free to rock on shaft 23 for this purpose. A roller G7 is mounted on the lower end of the members 62 Which are integral With the arm 20, and is adapted to be shifted by an angle-bar 68 Which extends longitudinally across the back of the frame and is pivotally suspended at its ends by arms 69. Angle-bar GS is provided With a roller 70, Which is adapted to be engaged by a cam 7l at the upper end of a rod 72 Which is mounted to slide vertically in guides 73 and has its lower end pivoted, at 74, to a lever 75 Which is fulcrumed at 76, and provided at its front end With a pedal 77 by which the cam may be shifted at Will of the operator. A spring 78 is applied to normally hold the cam in its inoperative position. lV hen the iron is in its Woking position, roller G7 Will be disengaged from angle-bar G8, so that the Weight of the iron Will be applied to the Work. lVhen the pedal 7'? is depressed, While the iron is in any of its positions, cam 7l Will rock the angle-bar 68 forwardly to swing arm 2O upwardly and lift the iron off the work. When the. pedal is released,`the iron will immediately become operative, so that the operator may readily lift the iron over an obstruct-ion without stopping the movement of the iron to facilitate the ironing process. rI here is sufficient lap of the ports in the contiolling valve, so that the slide movement of the shifting connection forA it, caused by the lifting of the arm by the operationv of. the angle-bar 68, will not change the ldirection of flow of fluid. By utilizing a downwardly extending member on the carriage and a track disposed atthe back of the machine, the downwardly extending member on the iron carrying arm, which is operable by the langle bar 68, is located at the back of the iron where it will not interfere with the manipulation .of the material being ironed over the board, and so it will leave free access to the end of the board which is supported by the standard 16. The range of movement of the iron is sufficient to permit it to travel off the ironing-board when it is adjacent one end yof the frame, and to eect the automatic lifting` of the iron and to hold it supported after it passes off the table 15, a track 79 is provided adjacent one end of the angle bar 68,011 which theioller 67 will ride before the ironleaves the table 15.l

The invention exemplifies an 'ironing machine, in .which the flat-iron may. loe reciprocated at the will of the operator by fluid pressure operated means; in which a relatively-short piston stroke and cylinder may be used to impart the desired greater range of movement to the iron; in which the fluidpressure means is readily controllablewhile the iron is at any point; and in which lpro-A` vision is made for raising and lowering the iron-which rests by gravity on the material being ironed. l y

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the Vdetails set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, without departing` from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. In an ironing machine, the combination of a frame, an ironing table, a pivotedv arm mounted to reciprocate over the table, a flatiioii carried by said arm, means for swinging the arm to:raise or lower the iron, fluidpressui'e operated means for reciprocating the iron, and means for controlling the supply 'of fluid to said pressure operated means tofstart and stop the iron at will at lany point within its range of travel.

2. In an ironing machine, the combination of l a frame, an ironing table, a flat-iron mounted to reciprocate over the table, fluidpressure operated means for reciprocating the iron, a valve for controlling the supply of fluid to saidy pressure-operated means to operate the iron in opposite directions, and means mounted to travel with the iron for shift-ing said valve to start and stop the iron at will at any point within its range of travel.

3. In an ironingr machine, the combination of a. frame, an ironing table, a flat-iron mounted to reciprocate over the table, a fluid-pressure.device for reciprocating the iion comprising' a cylinder and a piston, a valve connected to control the relative movement of the piston and cylinder in opposite directions, and a device mounted to travel with the ironconnected to the valve to start and stop the iron at will at any point ywithin its range of travel.

4." 'In an ironing machine, the combination of a frame, a fixed ironing table, a vertically movable fiat-iron mounted to reciprocate over the table, means for shifting the iron vertically, a fluid-pressure device for reciprocating the iron comprising a cylinder and a piston,- a valve connected to' control the relative movement of the piston and cylinder in opposite directions, and a device mounted to travel with theiron connected to control the valve to start and stop the iron at will at", any point within its range of travel.

5. In an ironing machine, the combination of afiame, an ironing table, a flat-iron mounted to reciprocate over the table, a fluir pressureA device for reciprocating the iron comprising a'cylinder and a piston, a valve connected tocontrol the relative movement of the piston and cylinder in opposite directions, said iron beingvertically movable independently of the iuid pressure device, and a device forcontrolling the valve to start and stop the iron at will at any point within its range of travel. v Y

6. In an ironing machine, the combination of a frame, an vironing table, a vertically swinging 'arm mounted to reciprocate over the table, a fiat-iron carried bysaitl-arm, means for swinging the arms vertically' to raise or lower the iron, a fluid-pressure device for reciprocating the-iron comprising a cylinder and a piston, a stationarily mounted valve connected to control the relative movement of the .piston and cylinder in opposite directions, anda device mounted to'travel with the iron for controlling the valve to start and stop the iron at will at any point within its range of travel. l

- 7. VIn an ironing machine, the combination ofr a frame,l an' ironing table, a fiat-iron mounted to reciprocate longitudinally" over the table, fluid-pressure operated means for reciprocating the iron longitudinally comprising a cylinder ofless length than the stroke 'of the iron and a piston, movement multiplying means between the pressure-operated means andthe iron, and means for controlling the supply of fluid to the cylinder to start and stop the iron at Will at any point Within its range of travel.

8. In an ironing machine, the combination of a frame, an ironing table, a fiat-iron mounted to reciprocate longitudinally ov-er the table, Huid-pressure operated means for reciprocating the iron longitudinally comprising a Cylinder and a piston, movement multiplying means between the pressure-op,- erated means and the iron comprising p1votally connected links and crossed levers, and means for controlling the supply of fluid to the cylinder to start and stop the iron at will at any point within its range of travel.

9. In an ironing machine, the combination of a frame, an ironing table, a vertically movable flat-iron mounted to reciprocate longitudinally over the table, means for shifting the iron vertically, fluid-pressure operated means for reciprocating the iron longitudinally comprising a cylinder and a piston, movement multiplying means between the pressure-operated means and the iron,

and means for controlling the supply of fluid to the cylinder to start and stop the iron at will at any point Within its range of travel.

10. In an ironing machine, the combination of a frame, an ironing table, a vertically movable flat-iron mounted to reciprocate longitudinally over the table, means for shifting the iron vertically, fluid-pressure operated means for reciprocating the iron longitudinally comprising a cylinder and a piston, movement multiplying means between the pressureoperated means and the iron comprising a system of pivotally connected links and crossed levers, andmeans for controlling the supply of fluid to the cylinder to start and stop the iron at will at any point Within its range yof travel.

ll. In an ironing machine, the combination of a frame, an ironing table, a flat-iron mounted to reciprocate over the table, a Huid-pressure device for reciprocating the piston comprising a cylinder and a piston,

a valve connected to control the relative movement of the piston and cylinder in opposite directions, a device connected to control the valve to start and stop the iron at Will at any point Within its range of travel, and means for automatically closing the valve when the iron reaches the end of said range.

l2. In an ironing machine, the combination of a frame, a liXed ironingl table, a vertically movable flat-iron mountedy to reciprocate over the table, means for shifting the iron vertically, a fluid-pressure device for reciprocating the piston comprising a cylinder and a piston, a valve connected to control the relative movement of the piston and cylinder in opposite directions, a device connected to control the valve to start and stop the iron at will at any point Within its range of travel, and means forvautomatically closing the valve-When the iron reaches the Vend of said range.,

13. In an ironing machine, the combination of a frame, an ironing table, a vertically movable flat-iron mounted to reciprocate over the table, power-operated means for reciprocating the iron, means for controlling theV operation of the reciprocating means to start and stop the iron at Will at any point within its range of travel, said iron being mounted to swing universally and adapted to create pressure by its own Weight, and means for manually' lifting tlieiron olf the table at any point within its range of travel.

14. In an ironing machine, the combination of a frame, an ironing' table, a vertically mOVablelat-irOn mounted to reciprocate over the table, power-operated means forv reciprocating the iron, means for controlling the Operation of the reciprocating means to start. and stop the iron at Will at any point Within its range ofV travel, said iron being adapted to create. pressure by its own Weight, a pedal, a connection operable by the depression of the pedal and for manually lifting the iron olfY the table at. any point within its range of travel.

l5. In' anironing machine, the combination of a` f'ame, an ironing table, a vertically movable flat-iron mounted to reciprocate over theI table, power-operated means for reciprocating the iron, meansy for controlling the operation of the reciprocating means to start and stop the iron at Will at any point Within its range of travel, saidA ironnbeing adapted to create pressure by its own; Weight, means for manually lifting the iron offy the table at any point Within its range of travel, and means for automatically lifting the iron oil' the table to support it at the end of one range of its travel.

16. In an ironing machine, the combination of a frame, an ironing table, a vertically movable arm mounted to reciprocate over the table, a tlat-ironcarried by said arm, power-operated means for reciprocating the iron, means for controlling the operation of the reciprocating means to start` and stop the iron at will at any point Within its range oftravel, said iron being adapted to create pressure by its oivn Weight, a downwardly extending member on said arm, and a longitudinal track for said member to operatethe arm and to lift the iron at the end of one range of its travel.

17. In an ironing machine, the combination of a frame, an ironing table, a vertically movable arm mounted to reciprocate over thetable, a flat-iron carried by said arm, power-operated means forV reciprocating the iron, means for cont-rolling the operation of the reciprocating means to start and stop the iron at Will at any pointl With- CII in its range of travel, said iron being adapted to create pressure by its own weight, a downwardly extendingmember on said arm, and a pivotally supported longitudinal track adapted to move bodily and operate said member to operate the arm to lift the iron oil' the table.

18. In an ironing machine, the combination of a frame, an ironing table, a vertically movable arm mounted to reciprocate*- over the table7 a {iat-iron carried by said arm7 power-operated means for reciprocating the iron, means for controllingthe opera-tion of tl'ie reciprocating means to start and stop tlie iron at will at any point within its range of travel, 'said iron being adapted to create pressure by its ovvn weight, a downwardly extending member on said arm, and a pivotally supported longitudinal track adapted to move bodily and operate said member to operate the arm to lift the iron off the table, and provided with means to automatically support the arm when the iron is at the end of one range of its travel.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 3rd day el' March, i926.

HUBERT o. ELLIS. NORMAN C. ELLIS. 

